Despite Covid-19, UoH sees 20% rise in foreign students applying for admission

HYDERABAD: Notwithstanding the uncertainty over movement of people between countries in these pandemic times, the University of Hyderabad (UoH) has witnessed a 20% rise in number of applications from foreign students for the 2020-21 academic year .
According to the figures shared by UoH with TOI, this year the university has received 258 application from international students as against 203 last year. Officials have observed a spike in number of applicants through Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), seeking admission in various courses.
“This year the number of applications received from ICCR was more than 200 against 175 in the previous year. Also, from overseas citizens of India (OCI) cardholders who are holding foreign passports, we received 38 applications as compared to 30 last year,” director, international affairs, N Siva Kumar, adding that 18 applications were received for various courses in the integrated masters programme.

Majority applications were received from countries such as Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sudan, Gambia, Madagascar, South Africa, Tanzania and Guyana. Officials have attributed the spike in applications from international students to the Institute of Eminence(IoE) status that was awarded to UoH by the ministry of human resource development last year.

“We are happy that even in this pandemic-ridden situation, applications from foreign nationals significantly increased to over 200 compared to previous years, with support from ICCR and MHRD. With the memorandum of understanding already signed and those in the pipeline, we see bright prospects for UoH to become a choice destination in several subjects for the foreign nationals,” said Appa Rao Podile, vice-chancellor of UoH.